On Nov. 25, federal Judge Kristine Baker struck down the ban, but stayed her ruling pending a state appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Almost six weeks after their own oral arguments, the Arkansas Supreme Court has yet to be heard from on the separate state court challenge.

The Court is on its Christmas break. But state employees will be at work this week, except for New Year's Day. An opinion by the court could be issued at any time.

The approach of the end of the year is important for many reasons. Should the Supreme Court uphold Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling, it would clarify the marital status of about 500 couples who married in the week following his ruling but before the Supreme Court stayed it for the appeal. It also could allow untold other couples to marry in Arkansas before the end of 2014 and thus potentially qualify for tax and other benefits that accrue to legally married couples.

Also important as to timing: Justice Donald Corbin retires effective Jan. 1. Robin Wynne replaces him that day. If no decision is reached before Jan. 1, Wynne will cast a vote in the case rather than Corbin. Nobody has yet said how that process would work and how much time would be added before an eventual decision.

Why the delay? Theories abound, mostly related to internal friction on the court. Officially, there is no word.

An Arkansas anti-abortion law is a phony. It's about ending abortion, not protecting women and a New York Times writer says it could present an important case for the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Arkansas Supreme Court continues to grapple, with divisions, on how to square new federal and state law on resentencing people who got life without parole sentences for capital crimes committed when they were minors.

The State Police say Brett McCullough, 52, of Hot Springs, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding a bicycle about 8:47 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 70 West (Airport Road) in Hot Springs.

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The Trump administration today approved Kentucky's request for a waiver of Medicaid rules to implement certain changes to its Medicaid expansion program, including work requirements. Next up, Arkansas?

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Enjoy these photos from today's dedication and re-installation of a new Ten Commandments monument. The first iteration of the monument was installed last June but destroyed within the next 24 hours when it was rammed by a man in a Dodge Dart.